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Strong Job Sectors during a Weak Economy
Pay cuts and lay-offs have become common stories these days. However, there are some sectors where job openings are growing and the pay is still rising. According to the recent study conducted by PayScale, healthcare job openings topped the list.
Growing healthcare job openings should not come as a surprise, since health care is essential in any community. People won’t stop getting sick when the economy is poor. In fact, the added stress levels during a recession can increase the likelihood of people getting sick. In addition, the aging population also means that more people will be demanding healthcare services in the coming years.
Many healthcare job openings require very specific education. Thankfully, not all healthcare job openings require edu
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Top 5 Job Openings in Demand
Unemployment is over 10%, and many people may be wondering if there still are jobs available. The quick answer is: of course there are, and lots of them. How is this possible?
There are job openings that are very hard to fill due to educational requirements. This is because of a growing mismatch between workforce requirements and available jobs. Further education may just be the breakthrough you need to land employment. Here are the top 5 job openings experiencing an employment drought:
Engineer – Most entry-level positions in this field require at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. If you want to gain an edge, take engineering courses that focus on sustainable development and environmental practices. The average annual salary of an engineer was estimated at $78,560 in 2008 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
IT Staff – Most entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems and, sometimes, engineering. However, an associate’s degree may be enough for some positions. The average salary for IT specialists varies, depending on the position. Database administrators, for instance, earned an average annual income of $72,900.
Accountants – Fully-licensed accountants usually need a bachelor’s degree in accounting and CPA certification to qualify for the best offers. Accounting clerks, on the other hand, usually need only an associate’s degree. The mean annual salary for accountants was estimated at $65,840 in 2008, according to the BLS.
Technicians – You’ll need an associate’s degree in a specific engineering field to qualify as a technician. The mean annual salary for electronic engineering technicians, to cite one example, earned an estimated $53,990 in 2008.
Technicians have the option to transition their associate’s degree into a bachelor’s training program to qualify for higher-paying engineering jobs. If you want to pursue an engineering career but do not have the time to finish a bachelor’s degree immediately, becoming a technician could be an ideal launch pad.
Mechanic – An associate’s degree is the usual requirement in this field. If you want to have an edge, computer knowledge could be vital, since most mechanics these days rely on high-tech diagnostic devices. The mean annual salary for mechanics was estimated at $37,540 in 2008 by the BLS.
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Job Hunting in 2010
Although there are signs of economic recovery, the 2010 job market outlook is expected to be dense and competitive. Many people will have to rethink their job-hunting strategies for 2010. Here are some useful tips for job hunting in 2010:
Seek out all possibilities – Everyone has their own “dream job.” However, during a recession, there are times when limiting your options to your dream job can be unproductive. If you want to increase your chances for employment, you must exhaust all possibilities. This means that you must consider your transferable skills, and assess which career options you qualify for. Consider updating your skills by attending seminars or enrolling in relevant courses to boost your credentials and marketability.
Consider job openings that closely match your skills – Exhausting all possibilities doesn’t mean just submitting your resume to all the companies you come across. You must still be sure that your skills closely match the job description. With a very dense job-hunting market, lacking skills in some areas could be enough to disqualify you from the running. It follows that you must tailor your resume specifically for every job opening.
Do your research – Research on the companies you’re considering. Know their products, mission and vision, marketing strategies, their latest developments and organizational strategies. In the event that you’re granted an interview, your knowledge will help you give answers that are more informed.
Work your network – Recent surveys show that networking is the most effective tool for finding employment, especially for jobs above entry-level positions.
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